Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction: Can Ja Morant, Grizzles Shine at Home in Game 1?
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies face off in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs today. Can Ja Morant and the Grizzlies shine at home? Matt McCuen answers.
Matt McCuen - April 16, 2023, 9:43 AM EDT
5 minMemphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction: Can Ja Morant, Grizzles Shine at Home in Game 1?
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies will duel things out from Memphis, Tennessee, on Sunday afternoon for a much-anticipated matchup.
Grizzlies vs. Lakers Game 1 Start Time and Where to Watch
- Date: Sunday, April 16, 2023
- Game Time: 3:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: ABC
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers Prediction
The Grizzlies have had a wild season as on the court, things have gone pretty well, but the short absence of Ja Morant was a story that made headlines for much of the season. Memphis ended the year with the second-best record in the West, and at home, there was no one better in the NBA. The Grizzlies ended the year with a 35-6 home record making them one of the most difficult teams to match up with in the postseason.
If you are not a fan of the Grizzlies, there’s a pretty good chance that you do not like them. Memphis is known for its cocky young attitude. Dillon Brooks is never shy, and I’m sure you will see him start up some scuffles in this series.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, comes into this matchup feeling great about their play over the last couple of months. Los Angels were not even in a play-in spot at the all-star break, but they turned things around in the second half of the season. You have to give credit to their front office for restructuring this Laker's roster. They seem like they have found the correct balance at this point in the season.
When you have LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the same roster, you are going to have an opportunity to win a playoff series. The Lakers would love nothing more than to steal the all-important first game of this set.
I am going to take an alt spread here and back the Grizzlies on the short -2 line. The last two times that we have done this, it’s worked out where our team didn’t cover the real spread, but they did get the alt. Sometimes you just have a gut feeling that it will be tight down the stretch.
I expect this to be a great series that goes seven games, but today I expect the energy to be electric at home. The Grizzlies, as I mentioned earlier, are the best home team in the league. I am going to trust them to continue to play their best brand of basketball at home and get our day started with a win! Let’s keep rolling today.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers Pick
Pick: Memphis Grizzlies -2 (-152) Bet $100 to collect $165 Get the odds at Barstool and BetRivers
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